#626 | The Strange Story of Punch and Judy

He wears a red hat, carries a stick, and laughs as he beats almost everyone he meets.

This episode tells the odd, violent story of Punch and Judy, the puppet show that began in Italy and became a British seaside symbol.

It looks at how Mr Punch survived for over 300 years, and why many now question whether he still belongs on the beach.

• The swazzle and Mr Punch's strange squeaky voice

• Italian street theatre origins and Pulcinella

• Arrival in London in 1662 with Samuel Pepys

• From marionettes to glove puppets and slapstick action

• The 1828 book and forgery doubts

• Judy, the baby, the policeman, the crocodile and the devil

• Violent plot and the "That's the way to do it!" catchphrase

• Rise at the seaside with Victorian railways

• Mr Punch and the humour magazine Punch

• Modern decline, criticism, attempts to modernise, and an uncertain future

Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/punch-and-judy

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